Square Enix is responsible for some of the most beloved franchises in all of gaming. Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Tomb Raider are just a few of the properties inside the companies massive portfolio. While there's certainly no shortage of fans clamoring for more entries in those series, Square Enix has decided that it's time to tread new ground and release something brand new.
On May 25th, 2022, Square Enix is set to release Forspoken to PS5 and PC gamers everywhere. With only months left before release, details surrounding the title are still sparse, but that hasn't stopped Reddit from speculating about what this adventure has in store.
The Movement Mechanics Will Be Amazing
As the maps in video games have become larger, it's become increasingly difficult to keep players invested while traveling from quest to quest. The web-swinging in Marvel's Spiderman on PS4 is a shining example of how players can continue to have fun while simply navigating to the next objective on the map. Players are engaged, yet constantly tempted to stop, admire the beautiful scenery, and discover hidden areas known only to experts.
Redditor Dusty170 thinks that Forspoken will offer a similar experience. They write "I'm a sucker for games with awesome movement mechanics, and this sure looks like it'll keep me entertained.". The trailers released so far certainly showcase a fluid traversal and platforming system, that has gamers salivating to get their hands on it.
Movement Will Be Faster Than Ever with Next-Gen Hardware
Anybody lucky enough to own a PS5 will tell you that the biggest perk of the system is the massive decrease in load times. Games can be launched almost instantly, but players have yet to see this speed meaningfully implemented into gameplay. That could change with the release of Forspoken. After seeing glimpses of gameplay, Reddit user TJ_McWeaksauce said "It looks like movement in Forspoken is some sort of super speed? If that's the case, that'd be awesome."
With the capability to render environments faster than ever also comes the ability to make characters travel through those environments faster than ever. Most gamers believed that they wouldn't see this fully utilized until Marvel's Spiderman 2 is released, but it seems like Forspoken may be the first one to the party.
Strong Japanese-Western Influences
The art of Forspoken looks unique. The environments released so far look utterly breathtaking, but the specific influences behind them are a little ambiguous. Redditor IISuperSlothII believes that they have figured it out. They post "Is this game actually an isekai?"
It would make a lot of sense for Forspoken to be an Isekai type story revolving around a young girl transported to an unknown fantasy world. If this prediction is true, a game that manages to capture some of the magic of titles like Spirited Away does sound like one worth playing.
It Takes Place on Earth, But It's Overrun with Monsters
It's believed that Forspoken will be open-world, but there have been almost no details released about what world players will find themselves in. Reddit user Lairdom theorizes that the world of Forspoken may feel more familiar than expected. They write "Looks more like you are on Earth but there are monsters everywhere and no people"
If true, this means Forspoken could share plenty of similarities with titles like Monster Hunter, perhaps with a more super-powered twist with familiar landmarks. Furthermore, gamers have always loved an opportunity to explore iconic environments. And although many franchises are ripe for an adaptation in the form of an open-world RPG, a completely fresh open-world like Forspoken would still be well received.
High Fantasy with a More Modern Tone
Without a question, The Lord of the Rings has inspired countless books, movies, and video games that went on to be classics in their own right. On the other hand, that popularity has also created some of the most repetitive, cliché, and downright annoying trends that permeate every form of media.
Redditor cmetz90 is fed up and posts "I’m always down for a fantasy story that isn’t grizzled British people talking in a vague, old-timey style." So far, only one line of dialog has been revealed from Forspoken, but that line left little up to interpretation. The phrase "Is that a motherf***ing dragon?!" would be sorely out of place in Tolkien's epic, but sets the stage perfectly for this new gaming experience.
A New Generation of Prototype?
Although it doesn't get discussed often, Activision's Prototype series still has a strong loyal fanbase that reveres it as one of the greatest superhero games of all time. The series follows the story of Alex Mercer as he awakes with newfound powers in a version of New York City ravaged by a plague.
Forspoken's early resemblance to the Prototype series has Reddit user Magnacor8 thrilled. They write "The dashing, open-world, weird dark-magic looks a lot like Prototype, just not in a city and a little less over-the-top." Above all, Prototype is remembered for its incredible movement system and delivering satisfying rushes of pure adrenaline. It may not have been a perfect experience, but Forspoken would be wise to borrow some elements from the Prototype formula.
A Magical Open World
Some see Forspoken as a superhero adventure, but others are predicting it will revolve much more around the use of magic. The mere prospect of magic has Redditor bubbawears counting down the seconds to release day. They posted "Open awesome worlds with some kind of sorcerer magic stuff. SIGN ME UPPPP"
The full scope of Forspoken's magical abilities remains hidden, but it's clear that gamers will be mastering some form of mystic arts. It's become commonplace for games of this magnitude to include a skill tree so that gamers can shape the character to best suit their play style. If the execution is correct, Forspoken could easily become one of PlayStation's best RPGs.
Sony is Sold And That's A Very Good Sign
PlayStation is already home to many of gaming's finest single-player adventures. Horizon: Forbidden West's release next month is set to expand an already robust exclusive library that contains Returnal, Uncharted, and God of War just to name a few. This prediction is actually more of a hypothesis given what we know about Square Enix's dealings with PlayStation.
Reddit user Hunbbel writes "Yes. And Sony is also hugely impressed by it -- so much so that they have purchased 2-year timed exclusivity for it." While it may not seem like much, Sony's stamp of approval has a fantastic track record. If Sony believes that Forspoken will bring gamers to PS5 in the same way as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Deathloop, then everyone should be eagerly anticipating May 22nd.
It Will Be One of the First Truly Next-Gen Games
Although the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles have been in the hands of gamers for over a year, the general consensus among players is that there aren't many games currently available that make proper use of Sony or Microsoft's fantastic hardware. Specifically, many of the PS5's best titles are simply PS4 games available through backward compatibility.
Gamers are itching for something more than light enhancements and faster load times, and Redditor Aclysmic is predicting that Forspoken will provide that. They post "It’s probably one of the first true next-gen games." With Horizon Forbidden West and Forspoken's release both rapidly approaching, those currently without a PS5 may find themselves searching with a renewed sense of determination.
It's Destined to Overtake Final Fantasy
Square Enix has many successful franchises, but the biggest prize in its collection is undoubtedly Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy XIV became so popular that it had to pause new player registrations for over a month, and only recently reopened the gates to new players.
In spite of this success, Square has not lowered expectations for Forspoken. Reddit user 22Seres posts "[Forspoken] is a very big deal within Square. They want it to be their next big thing." It's hard to imagine anything eclipsing the star of Final Fantasy, but if the hype surrounding Forspoken is to be believed, then gamers are in for a surprise when the game officially hits shelves at the end of May.